Intent of Each Zoning District

Sec. 5.2. Intent of Each Zoning District.

Each of the underlying zoning districts established by the provisions of this ordinance are created with specific intent as follows: Rural Estate Agricultural (REA). This district is established to provide protection to areas where the conservation of water bodies and streams are of significant importance; where development may be threatened by flood, or would increase the danger of flood elsewhere and where limited agricultural pursuits and low density residential uses are compatible with open space objectives. Rural Agricultural (RA). This district is established to allow limited, orderly growth in areas where facilities necessary for intensive, urban-type development appear unlikely in the near future. It is designed to permit some conservation objectives, many agricultural pursuits and to allow the orderly transition from agriculture to low density residential use. Conservation development by design and the placement of structures which may facilitate more efficient rezoning in the future is strongly encouraged within the district. Residential - Suburban (RS). This district is established to provide areas where medium-low density residential uses now appear feasible because community facilities such as public water or sewers are likely in the foreseeable future. Residential - Urban (RU). This district is established to provide for a somewhat broader range of urban housing types and for higher residential densities. It is anticipated that facilities necessary for urban living will service most of these districts within the near future. Business - Neighborhood (BN). This district is established to provide areas for the retailing of convenience goods and furnishing of some personal services. It is primarily intended to serve the day-to-day needs of persons living nearby, although the secondary function of serving community-wide needs is also permitted. Business - Highway (BH). This district is established to provide areas for commercial establishments that depend primarily on a great volume of vehicular traffic. Typical uses include those which offer accommodations and services to motorists, specialized retail outlets, and commercial amusement enterprises. Limited Commercial (LC). This district is established to provide areas for commercial establishments, light industry and office uses. It is intended to serve community-wide needs and accommodate specialized retail and wholesale establishments which require outdoor storage of materials. Manufacturing (M). This district is established to provide areas suitable for industrial development, research and certain transportation, storage and utility uses. In addition, certain commercial services catering primarily to the needs of industry and its employees are permitted. In order to maximize the potential of this district, incompatible uses which require extensive improvements are not permitted. Mixed Use – Commercial (MU-1). This district is intended to provide for compact, planned

a village nature with existing commercial, but not big -box businesses such as restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, retail This district is intended to provide for compact, planned development where buildings should be clustered, campusamenities, with parking located to the side and rear of structures.

includes properties owned by the Town, State or Federal government presently used for public recreation or conservation purposes. It also includes quasipublic or privately-owned land where development rights or conservation easements have been conveyed, or for which there is a reasonable expectation of long-term use for open space conservation or recreation, such as Audubon Society or North Smithfield Land Trust lands. Certain limited residential, recreational, agricultural, and educational uses are permitted. (Ord. of 4-1-2019)